NEW ZEALAND JUNIOR CADETS (REPORT ON THE).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1911 Session I, E-11

B.—ll

1911. NEW ZEALAND.

NEW ZEALAND JUNIOR CADETS (REPORT ON THE).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Tin Commandant of the Nh:\v Zealand Juniob Cadets to the Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. Sik, Wellington, 11th July, 1911. 1 have the honour, pursuant to subsection (2) of section 36 of the Defence Act, 1909, to submit the following repori on the Junior Cadets of New Zealand lor the year ended 31st March, 1911. The following summary, compiled from returns received from approximately 2,000 schools (public and private) in the Dominion, will show that the total strength of the Junior Cadet Force (including Seoul Cadets) is L'ii.OCiT. which is an increase of nearly 5,000 on the number for 1910. The Scout Cadets do not include any units belonging to the Boy Scout organization ; they comprise patrols formed at small schools where it would lie difficult to work Cadet detachments. Their training is similar to the Boy Scouts' training. The details of strength are as under : —

On the coming into force of the Defence Act, 1909 10, providing for the compulsory training of Junior Cadets, which necessitated the taking-over of all assets and lawful liabilities by the Government, it was found that a very large amount of the equipment in the possession of Cadet units was worn out, in some eases being as much as from eight to ten years old. and required replenishing, in addition to which each new unit as it was formed had to be fully equipped. Consequently, 10,000 sets of equipment (including model rifles, belts, and haversacks), lo.ooi) caps, and 6,000 jerseys had to lie purchased during the year. Owing to the large amount of work at Headquarters due to the reorganization, re-equipment, the taking-over and adjusting the assets and liabilities of the Public-school Cadets, which existed prior to the adoption of obligatory training. I found it impossible to do much inspection-work- during the transitory period, which may be said to have continued during the whole year. Wherever 1 did go, however, I found the utmost enthusiasm shown by all ranks, and. generally speaking, satisfactory work being done by officers, non-commissioned officers, and Cadets. I was able to advise many schools in the selection of sites for miniature ranges, and was also able to settle many minor difficulties on the spot.

Number of Number of I "nits. Officers. Number of Cadets and Officers. junior Cadet officers Scoutmasters J unior Cadet units Scout Cadet units Cadets (all ranks) Scout Cadets (all ranks) Totals Totals for 1909-10 .. 913 320 490 645 "" i 1! J_ 1,135 1.233 .. : 1,013 1,100 22,939 6,128 29,067 24,300 I i l_ I Increase 1910-11 122 133 4,767

2

E.—ll

Everywhere there was a keen desire for instruction. The Staff Officer and nine Instructors provided for on last year's estimates were appointed during the year, and have been doing good work. The Instructors were put through a short refresher course before taking up their duties at the different centres where they are now stationed. They, however, can only instinct at schools at and near their headquarters ; therefore, in order to get at the country officer, three Officers' Instruction Camps were held at Auckland. Wellington, and Timaru respectively. These lasted for a week each, and were widely made use of, there being an average attendance of thirty-five to forty officers at each. The result of this initial experiment was such a success that these camps will be held again in 1911. As in the previous year, no camps for Junior Cadets were held during the year; neither is it intended that Junior Cadets shall in future be taken into camp for training. Already several Education Boards have arranged to collect their teachers at different centres in order that they may receive the benefits of a systematic course of military-physical training, and have asked for the use of the Instructors for that purpose. In addition to camps of instruction for Junior Cadet officers, there have been two additional Officers' Training units formed at the Teachers' Training Colleges at Dunedin and Christehurch, thus making one unii at cadi college. This means now that from Auckland. Wellington, Dunedin, and Christchurch there will be annually a supply of about one hundred partially trained young teachers going out to take up scholastic duties in various parts of New Zealand, particularly in country districts, who will be ready to look after and drill the Junior Cadets at their schools. The Department having outgrown its store accommodation, due to an increase in the number of Cadets, an additional storeroom had to be rented from Messrs. J. .). Bourke and Co., in Whitmore Street, at a rental of £50 per annum. As much time was wasted by Junior Cadets marching to their rifle ranges, and shooting was often hurried and consequently useless, and also to prevent any overlapping in musketry training of Junior Cadets controlled by this Department and Senior Cadets under Defence administration, it was deemed necessary to abolish all open-air 200-yards ranges, and substitute miniature ranges. Accordingly all ■310 rifles and ammunition have been called in and withdrawn from use by Junior Cadets. 878 rifles and spare parts, and 683,000 rounds of ammunition, have been transferred to the Defence Department for use by that Department. There are two types of miniature ranges now used by Junior Cadets —(1) The 25-yards range for use with -22 Winchester rifles ; (2) 8-to-10-yards ranges for use with B.S.A. air-rifles and special targets. There are already established in New Zealand sixty of the former and forty-six of the latter ranges. The work of providing schools with the above ranges to replace the 200-yards open-air ranges which have been abolished is being proceeded with as expeditiously as possible ; but the utmost care is being exercised in the selection of sites and types of ranges with a view to economy and safety. These ranges afford a most satisfactory form of target practice for Junior Cadets, both from the point of view of efficiency and economy. Under the new Regulations for Target Practice all trophies, shields, cups. &c, hitherto competed for on the -310 ranges are in future to be competed for on whichever of the above class of range happens to be at the school concerned. This has led to a redistribution of the trophies, &c, to suit the two classes of range, as under : — Open in Schools with -'2i Winchester Ranges. (1.) The North Island Government Challenge Shield. (2.) Weekly Press Shield (open to district high schools only). (3.) Winchester Repeating Arms Company's Challenge Shield. (4.) Four Colonial Ammunition Company's Cups. Open to Schools with B.S.A. Air-rip , Ranges. (1.) South Island tJovernment Challenge Shield. (2.) South Island Weekly Press Shield (open to district high schools only). (3.) Wanganui National Defence League's Challenge Shield and Belt (not open to Cadets in secondary departments of district high schools). (i.) Star and Graphic (Brett) Challenge Shield. Results ok Competitions for Shield's, Cups, and Medals for 1910. Government Challenge Shields. North Island — Dannevirke North .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 913 South Island— Timaru .Main .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 863 " Weekly Press" Challenge Shields. North Island — No. 1 Company, Onehunga .. .. .. .. .. 896 South Island — Port Chalmers . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 865

3

E.—ll

Colonial Ammunition Company's Cups. Combined districts of Auckland and Hawke.'s Bay— Cadet T. Monteitk, No. 1 Company. Hastings .. .. .. 72 Combined districts of Taranaki, Wanganui, and Wellington— Private Wake Barry, Stratford District High School .. .. ..83 Combined districts of Nelson, Marl borough, Westland, and Nortli and South Canterbury — Private J. Wooding, Geraldine .. .. .. .. ..96 Combined districts of Otago and Southland— Colour-Sergeant G. Gough, Kaikorai .. .. .. ..95 Wanganui Challenge Shield. Tie not yel fired off. Wanganui Championship Belt. Bugler R. Down. Pannevirke North .. .. .. .. ..42 Winners of I list rid Prize Medals, being the Highest Individual Scorers for each District. Colour-Sergeant Olsen, C. . . Picton, Marlborough . . . . 72 Sergeant Cadness, R. .. .. Northcote, Auckland .. .. .. 69 Cadet Lewin . . .. .. Masterton, Wellington . . . . .. 7< i „ Barry, W. .. .. Stratford, Taranaki .. .. ..83 Colour-Sergeant Gough, G. .. Kaikorai, Otago .. .. .. !'"> Cadet Coutts, F. .. .. Makarewa, Waikiwi, Southland ... . 92 ~ Hawthorne .. .. Hastings, Hawke's Bay . . 71 ~ Wooding .. .. Geraldine, South Canterbury . . .. 96 „ Ashley. D. .. .. St. Albans, North Canterbury .. .. 70 „ Reeves, A. .. .. Nelson .. .. .. 82 „ Hughes. W. .. . . Hokitika. Westland .. .. .. 92 Waters. W. .. .. Waverlcy. Wanganui .. .. ..62 Though shooting is one of the most important branches of a Junior Cadet's education, 1 regard physical training as being even more important, and have issued orders to all my Instructors that physical drill, without apparatus only, is to be taught to Cadets at schools. Apparatus, such as dumbbells or clubs. &c., is unsuitable for young children, and tends to stiffen rather than strengthen their muscles, and is more likely to do harm than good. In this lam supported by medical men and physicalculture experts throughout the Dominion. Field-Marshal Earl Roberts last year offered a framed and signed photograph of himself to the best all-round Junior Cadet of the yeai. This was won by Bugler R. Down, of the Dannevirke North Junior Cadets Company. His Lordship has also presented a signed copy of his book " Forty-one Years in India " for the best all-round Junior Cadet in 1911. Expenditure. The expenditure for the year amounted to £7,669 Bs. 4d., whilst the sum voted was £7,223. This excess of expenditure over the vote was due to the fact that revenue due. amounting to considerably more than the excess expenditure, was not credited to the Junior Cadet vote before the 31 st March. (For details see schedule.) In conclusion, I desire to state that I propose to make it a fundamental principle to refer to the General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Defence Forces all matters involving a change of system, such as military and physical training, target practice, organization, discipline, amendments to regulations, &c, for his consideration and opinion before actually giving effect to them. The first matter to be, dealt with in this way will be a series of amendments to the Regulations for the Junior Cadets, which I propose to submit at an early date for your approval. The guiding principle in these amendments will be to obviate as much as possible any conflict between the Junior Cadet Regulations and those governing the Defence Forces. So long as this is done there need be no fear of overlapping in any way. and uniformity will be assured. At the invitation of the G.O.C. the Defence Forces, I attended, for a few days, the training-camp at Tauherenikau, and witnessed the carrying-out of the tactical schemes. From every point of view I consider the camp afforded excellent examples of how such camps should be conducted, and f intend to bear it in mind as a model upon which to base future Cadet officers' training-camps.

E.—ll

4

SCHEDULE. Details of Expenditure for the Year ended 31st March, 1911. Voted. Expended. Salaries . £s. d. £ -. d. 1. Commandant of Cadets.. .. .. .. .. 450 0 0 Stafi Officer at £250 (ten months) . . . . .. 208 0 0 1 clerk at £210, 1 Storeman and Armourer at £193.. .. 403 0 0 9 Staff Sergeant Instructors at £160 (six months) . . .. 720 0 0 Typiste .. .. .. .. .. .. 62 0 0 1.843 0 0 1.889 6 4 Other charges for and incidental to — 2. Arms and accessories, ammunition, equipment, uniforms, model rifles, prizes, engraving, insurance, books, office requisites, stores, &c. .. .. .. .. 4.000 0 0 5,360 (I 9 3. Camps of training and course of instruction .. .. 800 t> <• 259 11 2 4. Fares and allowances of officers, instructors, and cadets (including drill-pay) .. .. .. .. 250 0 0 225 4 7 5. Rifle ranges, construction, repairs, rents, targets, sheds, and incidental expenses .. .. .. .. 400 0 0 463 13 11 6. Travelling expenses and allowances .. .. .. 100 0 0 192 4 4 7. Visit of Cadet representatives to England and Canada .. 110 0 0 110 0 0' 8. Contingencies, including unforeseen expenditure incidental to the other items of the vote .. .. .. .. 50 0 0 7,653 0 0 8.490 1 1 Less estimated credits under section 12 of the Public Revenues Act. 1908 .. .. .. .. 330 0 0 820 12 9 £7,223 0 0 £7,669 8 I I have, &c, T. W. Mac Donald, Major, Commandant of Junior Cadets.

Approximate Cost of Paptr. —Preparation not given; printing (2,1)00 copies), £3

Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9ll

Price ;itl